Africa-Press – Lesotho. FORMER Minister of Social Development ’Matebatso Doti, 71, appeared before the Maseru Magistrates’ Court to answer a charge of fraud. Doti, who is a former MP for Lithabaneng constituency, is embroiled in a legal battle with a relative over a piece of land she says belonged to her late aunt.
The site is in Meja-metalana, Lithabaneng, in Maseru. The charge sheet says between August 1, and September 25, 2019 near the Land Administration Authority (LAA) in Maseru, Doti unlawfully and with intent to defraud, made a false representation to the LAA.
The court heard that Doti concealed to the LAA “a fact which in the circumstances, she had a duty to reveal”. She is accused of presenting to the LAA a false affidavit and special power of attorney declaring the names Mojabeng Rebekka Monyau and Alphoncinah ’Mamotlatsi Chakacha Monyau as the same person.
Doti, according to the court papers, did this while making an application for a certificate of consent for transfer of lease number 13302 – 786 from Alphoncinah ’Mamotlatsi Chakacha Monyau, the lessee, to herself.
“Because of her misrepresentation, she caused the LAA to act upon the said representation by issuing a certificate of consent to its detriment,” the charge sheet reads.
The court said Doti committed the crime in contravention of the Land Act of 2010. She is expected to return to court on January 8 next year for set down.
The court advised Doti of her right to bail and to legal counsel. Through her lawyer, Advocate T Khatala, Doti asked the court to grant her bail. Magistrate Peter Murenzi considered that since Doti was elderly and sickly and her status in society, she should be granted bail pending trial.
The prosecution did not oppose the bail and she was granted a free bail. Doti told thepost yesterday that she is not guilty and will prove that in court.
She said her aunt lived in South Africa where she had registered her Christian name in her important documents and in Lesotho she had only Sesotho names.
“It is this Christian name which is said to be fraudulent,” Doti said.
“The names belong to the same person and I did nothing wrong. I will prove that in court,” she said.
“I will prove my innocence in court, although by that time my name would have been dragged in the mud,” she said.
For More News And Analysis About Lesotho Follow Africa-Press
